Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-10-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, D. G. Sept. 26, 1887.

WASHINGTON, D. @. Sept. 26, 1887.
That the action of the Government
in issuing a call for the purchase Of
fourteen millions in bonds was wise
and timely, Is the opinion of able and
experienced financiers in all portions
of the country, and there is also gen.
eral feeling that a financial crisis was
narrowly averted-due directly to the
constant and enormous absorption OF
the currency by the immense surplus
that continues to accumulate with
startling persistency. know of certain
stauneh and extensive business firms, in
some great commercial centers of the
Union, that were absolutely unable to
place loans, with the best collateral, at
20 per cent. The ready response to the
Treasury's measure of relief has been so
satisfactory that it is believed that there
will be no further tightness generally
seriously felt in the money market un-
til Congress will have the opportunity
to provide permanently for the coun-
try's financial ills, brought on by the
canker-worm ofour body politics-the
Treasury surplus-our troublesome
heritage from the unsound fiscal policy
of the Republicans.
The President and Secretary Bayard
had conference, lasting nearly day,
the past week, during which several
Congressman were denied audience,
and it is supposed that some affair of
state of grave import-perhaps a solu-
ton Of the fisheries problem-w was
under discussion, though nothing has
yet transpired to indicate the subject
matter of the consultation.
The Commissioner of Internal Reve-
nue. is preparing statement that will
show to what extent the Government
receipts would be decreased by a total
repeal of the internal revenue taxes,
and the result, so far, is interesting in
one aspect, at least, as showing de-
cided change in the bibulous tenden-
cies and inclinations of the citizens Of
the United States. 1t appears that as
compared with the previous fiscal year
there has been great falling off in the
manufacture of whisky-the decreased
taxation amounting to nearly three
millions and three guarters-the de-
cline having been noticed for a number
of years past. But, on the other hand,
the manufacture of beer is so rapidly
increasing that it may now be termed
the national beverage, the increased
taxation of the past year showing q
gain ofabout two million and half
dollars over the preceding year. AT an
early date the Commissioner proposes
to have an analytical test made of every
brand of American beer, as it is alleged
that many brewers use more alcohol in
making their beer than the law allows
hence it is thought the analysis will
cause a sensation. The Commissioner
of Internal Revenue states it as his
belief that the steady decrease in the
manufacture of distilled spirits is due
to the rapid growth of temperance re-
form in this country.
While all is so quiet in politics this
being an off year-it may startle, if it
does not awe your readers, that new
Presidential ticket, and q wonderful
combination it is, too, linking as it does
two of the great names of the nation,
has been launched here in the Capital.
And well may President Cleveland, as
he realizes the strength of this scom-
binen quake in his boots, as he sees his
vision of a second term vanish into
thin air, for how does he dare to oppose
the Presidential aspirations of those
mighty men of renown, those eminent
statesmen who will favorably compare
with the fathers Of the Republic Lin
coin and Douglass. Yes, repent it,
Robert Lincoln and Frederick Doug
lass. The glorious deed was done at a
banquet given to Douglass, the intel
lectual giant Of the negro race, on the
Of emancipation day, and
though, by strange coincidence,
Robert, the son Of his father, happened
to be in this city at the same time, / do
not know that he is committed to the
yet his presence here on
such all occasion may be significant.
4 The frisky and wayward Riddle
berger, feeling that lie has been snubbed
by his Republican Senatorial asso-
ciates, threatens to give the majority
trouble next winter by voting with the
Democrats and tying the Senate when
ever itsuits the whinl of the erratic
which judging from his
past course, will be quite often. Rid
dleberger will be the pivotal power Of
the Senate, and he viii make the most
Of his exceptional opportunity to keep
the Republicans in d constant state OF
suspense.
A@nh. =.